Charged with keeping a watchful eye on the little ones while @Craw and @Morganna enjoyed a break and time alone, Wraith lay comfortably at the den's entrance. As the pups had been slumbering when last he checked on them, the brute busied himself with grooming his fur. Had Wraith not grown with the responsibility of looking after pups, he likely would have felt guilt for lounging around as others worked around him. But the male knew the importance of his duty and intended to follow through with it in spades.

Dark ears flicked back as he caught the tell-tale pattering of curious paws. Wraith turned just as @Odin squeaked and skittered back into the confines of the den. Amused, the large brute laughed, his deep voice echoing off the walls. "See me now, can you, young one?" The half-hearted attempt at a growl was heartwarming to Wraith, reminding him of his own siblings as pups. The northerner stood and gave a long, languid stretch before approaching and flopping down nearby, large body blocking the exit.

"Your mother will be back soon. Use your nose," Wraith advised. "Go on, give a sniff," he encouraged gently. "I'm not as scary as I look." After all, it wasn't the first time Wraith had been entrusted to their care.

The boy's growls were nothing short of adorable. Well aware of how readily his size could intimidate, the male remained still and calm to allow the pup the confidence to come closer. Patiently, Wraith waited as the boy grew bold enough to investigate. Lips curled with amusement as the boy thought to find a meal from him. In another week, perhaps he could expect to find such a thing from the brute, but not there. "Only your mother is good for food there," Wraith advised. "She'll be back soon. But for now, why don't you take a look around?"

Wraith's large head swept out, inviting the pup to explore the immediate area within sight. Quickly, his eyes scanned the sky. He knew of the dangers that came from above for pups in the form of hawks and eagles. He would not be caught unawares when it came to protecting these little ones. Spotting nothing, he felt comfortable in shifting to the side to allow the pup out. Of course, it meant @Odin would have to flop over his large paws if he was curious enough. If not, Wraith was perfectly content with sheltering the little one for longer.

Watching the eyes had always been Wraith's favorite part of helping to raise pups. As with his siblings in the Far North, the brute could see @Odin puzzling out all that he saw. The novelty of all around the young mind never failed to fascinate and for all that he had seen in his life, Wraith hoped to maintain even half of that wonder of the world around him as he aged.

On the spring breeze was the promise of the fast approaching summer. It ruffled his thick fur, making him ever glad for the monadnock's available sheltering shade and the nearly constant wind. While Wraith took notice of the wind upon his face, the boy discovered it in a wholly unique way by the way it ruffled the fur along his tail.

The black man's laugh was rich and hearty as Odin grabbed hold with needle teeth and he felt a grand amount of sympathy for Morganna when feeding the little buggers now. Thinking on that now, it was just about time for the pups to start eating more solid food, was it not? Wraith made a mental note to go on a hunt after Morganna returned unless their doting mother already had that in mind.

"Have yourself a new toy, do you pup?" Wraith teased, amused by Odin's antics. He wasn't much different from himself as a youngling, now that he thought about it. Unable to help himself, the male shifted to reach over and lick the boy along his back with adoration.

Amusement had his lips curling up as @Odin made to challenge him. What a cocky little pup for one who had been so uncertain only moments before. Watching the pair of them grow into themselves was such a gift and not one Wraith would take lightly. Leaning back on the elbow farthest from Odin, Wraith lifted his closest forepaw and left it hovering in the air over the pup's head in playful warning before finally resting his heavy paw gently on top of the boy's head.

"Careful there, Odin. Gotta pick your battles carefully," he warned with a smile. While he was fine with the exploration of his power, Wraith knew he had to at least warn the boy that he wouldn't always get his way. "Calm down, little one. You're fine," he laughed. "You'll wake your sister." Speaking of the little rouge-furred girl, he peeked over to see her still out like a light. Part of him worried; was she sick? Was she usually not as active as Odin? But watching her regular breathing and not hearing any congestion or otherwise abnormalities set his worries to ease. At least the pair were easy to keep in the den. For now. Wraith knew soon enough he'd be chasing them all over the place trying to keep track. Thankfully, Morganna had only had two pups. A larger litter would have been more than a challenge for the new teacher.